Home Inspection Chicago Suburbs

From LoveToKnow Mortgage

When it comes to buying a home around the Chicago area there are plenty of companies that perform home inspections; Chicago suburbs have access to quality inspection services throughout the metropolitan area.

Home Inspection Suburbs of Chicago

Home Inspections for Home Buyers

Buying a new home is a big investment, and a decision that affects the homeowner for years. Making arrangements for a professional home inspection can help make the process less stressful because a quality inspection reduces your risk of buying a home that will cost time and money down the road.

Professional home inspectors will not mind if you want to walk through the inspection process with them. In fact, it's a good idea to accompany them and ask questions. The inspector can also point out routine maintenance that should be performed if you decide to buy the house.

Home Inspector Requirements in Illinois

Home Inspectors who practice in Illinois have to be at least 21-years-old and have a high school diploma or GED. They also have to:

  • Successfully finish 60 hours of pre-license education from an education provider licensed by DFPR
  • Pass the Illinois Home Inspector License Exam
  • After passing license exam, submit the application and fee
  • Required to fulfill a total of 12 hours of approved continuing education ever 2 years

If you want to learn whether or not a specific Home Inspector is licensed, use the License Lookup feature on the State of Illinois Division of Professional Regulation (DFPR) website.

How to Choose Home Inspection Chicago Suburbs

Choosing a company that conducts home inspection Chicago suburbs is pretty standard if you follow these simple guidelines:

Think Beyond Price

A home inspector looks at the home you plan to buy with your interests in mind. It is his job to give you a professional and expert opinion of the home's physical condition. An inspector with experience will not necessarily be the most reasonable. Instead of focusing on price consider the inspector's:

  • Training
  • Certifications
  • Continuing education
  • E & O Insurance

Inspectors have to pay to keep their credentials up-to-date. If you choose to go with someone less qualified because they are cheaper you might just get what you pay for, and it can cost you in the long run.

Consider Credentials

In the case of home inspection credentials you won't find national standards, but make sure they meet Illinois licensing requirements. Along with that, check what associations he or she belongs to. With that knowledge, you can look into the association and see what requirements are necessary to belong. Some require things like:

  • Minimum training
  • A certain amount of experience
  • Continuing education
  • Completing and passing yearly inspector exams

Also, within an association, inspectors can hold different levels indicating their degree of proven competence. These vary from one association to another. In some cases, an inspector can meet the basic requirements to join the association but must continue to meet further certifications to reach full membership.

References

Ask for references from previous clients and follow through by calling the clients to ask about their home inspection experience.

Insurance

A home inspector's insurance covers things like errors or omissions in their report. Commonly known as E & O insurance, this coverage lets the home owner file a claim if the inspector happens to miss something during the inspection.

Choose Your Own Inspector

Do your homework. While your real estate agent will be happy to refer you to an inspector, this can be a conflict of interest. Instead, talk to others in the area and take the time to find the right home inspection company for you.

Review Sample Inspection Reports

Ask to see a sample home inspection report. These reports vary and some can be confusing and hard to understand. You'll want a report that generates details in instances when an item is marked as inadequate or poor. Not only do you want to know the condition of the property, you also want to know what action should be taken to correct it.

Home Inspection Resources for Chicago Suburbs
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